contrary to this woman's belief, an art gallery is not essential.
jeopardizing all of the hard work folks are doing sheltering in place is selfish and self-involved. she should receive some kind of citation for flouting the rules.

Some peeps be selfless.

Some are selfish. Sigh.

Do what you are going to do lady. I can respect that even if I think you are horribly misguided. But don't pretend your motivation is the artistic needs of the masses. You are not be noble. Get over yourself.

"And while many museums around the world have pivoted to offering virtual art viewings, Powers said that's not what she wants. "Art can only be seen in person," she said. Falling in love with a piece requires an in-person experience with art, she added."

Total honesty. Powers wants what she wants and has calculated that her gut instinct trumps. And she is probably right. Not as many will fall "virtually" in love with her merchandise. She needs them to fall in love so the can be separated from their money. Like I said. The lady is being honest here.

I think this owner may not be aware that this virus is deadly and very easily spread by folks who don't know they have it. Art is very important and, as an artist who's income has been cut off as my gallery remains closed, I know how important it is. But my life, the lives of my customers and all the lives we are liable to touch are more important. If
we open too soon, we are taking a huge risk in the community. Try to stay the course, Kate. By opening too soon, you also put pressure on other galleries to do the same.

Can a landlord be held responsible when a tenant refuses to obey the "law" endangering health and lives in the community, when the landlord has the ability to shut it down.
Someone needs to take her keys away and padlock the store.

"It's hard to understand something when your paycheck depends on your not understanding it." -- Upton Sinclair

So let's say that everyone can declare themselves "essential." Furniture stores: gotta sit! Rug stores: can't be walking on bare floors! Nail salons: are you kidding, LOOK at my nails! And for every opening, the risk of death increases. Period. And if someone were to contact the virus and give it to a REAL essential worker, how would you feel then? Like two of my kids who work at local hospitals! Here's what I feel: while I loved the work at your gallery, I'll never enter it again. Period.

The storekeeper's position is the epitome of white privilege during these troubled times (see Web Link The Almanac's reporting (essentially advertising lawlessness) is reckless as well and is a complete tone-deaf disregard of public health without any critical component to this story. Look, no one wants to be stuck at home. However, we are all doing our part to help our community at large.

@concerned- what in the world does this have to do with white privilege??

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Enuff: When you post "facts" please check your sources so that unsupported claims don't spread. The current science says masks effective in cutting down the spread of the disease: Web Link And as for "herd immunity" it can also be done by vaccines which you fail to account for, which is what we're trying to get to with the fewest casualties. And while the odds are low of transmission, they increase with contact, period. And if that contact from those who don't abide by sheltering results in infecting innocents who ARE trying to flatten the curve then that's not only preventable, it's selfish and ignorant. Breathing in your on carbon dioxide? Please. I believe in science.

Good for her.

I suppose it’s lucky that we’re the ones stuck with these individualists instead of past generations. Can’t imagine how these sorts of people would’ve reacted to the collective sacrifice necessary to win WWII.

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@Enuf

While it it difficult to do total fact checking in the midst of an epidemic, estimates are that about 3 to 4% of those who become infected with the virus die. This number may be low or high since there are some who are infected and don't show symptoms and the lack of widespread testing. But even the most conservative estimates are that 3-4% is on the low side.

Additionally, many who have to go on ventilation face weeks and months of side effects and recovery time. Putting someone into an induced coma, intubating them, and days or weeks of ventilation does a number on the body and those who recover have a long row to hoe upon release.

Herd immunity for most serious illnesses is achieved through vaccination. think of killer of the past like Typpus, diptheria, polio, measles, etc.. These were "eradicated" through mass vaccinations that led to erd immunity, not natural infection rates.

Antibody testing is part of understanding how the virus works, but it is too soon to declare that that antibodies are totally effective against reinfection. More testing needs to be done to determine is reinfection occurs and at what rates. This normally takes years to assess as the virus is constantly mutating.

Healthy people wearing masks is meant to lessen the spread of droplets from your mouth and nose that occurs while speaking and are not effective in preventing the inhalation of microscopic particles. Its the least we can do when visiting establishments where employees are wearing (hopefully N95) masks all day to deal with us.

Regard,

steve taffee

Literally the least essential business I can think of. Even nail salons can make a better argument.

Still, she doesn't deserve all the disgusting racist attacks against her in this forum. What an age we live in.

Stupid be, stupid are.

This place just lost a customer and if they stay in business long enough, any future business from anyone in my family. What a completely self serving action with complete disrespect for the health of the community she relies on.

She is SHAMEFUL and Art Ventures Gallery will never see one more dollar of mine.